Dubuque County Auditor

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Prepare & Certify Tax Levies

The Auditor calculates tax rates for all taxing entities in the county (schools, cities, townships, etc.) by applying taxes levied by those entities to the valuation of each property as well as applicable credits and exemptions. Property value is determined by the City Assessor and the County Assessor. The Auditor prepares a tax list showing each taxpayer’s share of the total. These figures are certified to the Treasurer’s Office which mails a tax statement to each property owner. Many of the records prepared in the Auditor’s Office are maintained permanently and are available for public use.

Maintain Financial Records

Financial duties of the Auditor include issuing payment for all services, materials, and payroll charged to the county. The Auditor maintains a ledger for each department in the county for the fiscal year (July 1 through June 30). The Auditor also keeps and maintains the county’s permanent financial records. Many financial reports are published for public information. Insurance policies and surety bonds are filed and maintained in the Auditor’s office.

Commissioner of Elections

Responsibilities

• Certify official results to the state and other applicable political subdivisions
• Issue certificates of election to the proper persons
• Maintain all official voter registration records
• Manage all regular and special elections in the county which include city, community college, county, federal, school district and state
• Order election supplies
• Prepare and supervise the printing of ballots and programming of voting machines
• Provide public information for and conduct voter registration efforts in the county
• Train precinct election officials to ensure adherence to all election laws

Keep Real Estate Transfer Records

The Auditor enters and maintains records of all real estate transfers in the county. The Auditor updates plat maps and transfer books that are open to public examination. Transfer books are kept by legal description. Maps are updated to reflect recorded subdivisions, surveys, and annexations as well as ownership changes. The Auditor’s Office works closely with surveyors, attorneys, abstractors, and other individuals who manage real estate transactions.

Clerk to the Board of Supervisors

As clerk to the Board of Supervisors, the Auditor may perform a variety of duties, depending on the size of the county. The Auditor may accept petitions, register complaints, or act on routine business in absence of the board.

The Auditor often performs the following tasks:

• Attends Board meetings
• Initiates bid notices
• Keeps and records minutes
• Notifies the media
• Prepares board meeting agendas
• Publishes the proceedings in the official county newspapers
• Receives contract proposals
• References and maintains official papers dealing with the Board of Supervisors
• Solicits proposals for County contracts for materials and services

Process Various Licenses & Permits

The Auditor enters and maintains records of all cigarette, beer and liquor permits in the county. Contact Ami Johnson at 563-589-4493 to obtain cigarette, beer and liquor permits in the unincorporated areas of the County. Complete an application form. For information on permits inside the city limits, please check with the municipal City Clerk’s office.